Enjoy summer with your dog safely and take proper precautions to deal with sun and heat.

Joshua C. Cruey / Orlando Sentinel

Enjoy summer with your dog safely and take proper precautions to deal with sun and heat.

Enjoy summer with your dog safely and take proper precautions to deal with sun and heat.

(Joshua C. Cruey / Orlando Sentinel)

We're in the midst of the dog days of summer and it's hot, even by Florida standards. The late-day rain offers limited relief because the humidity is relentless. And while it's important to protect your pet from the year-round heat, it's even more vital now during the hottest times of the year.

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, a nonprofit trade organization, has a list of practices...

A blind kitten formerly up for adoption at Orange County Animal Services has found a new home. Video courtesy of OCAS.

A blind kitten formerly up for adoption at Orange County Animal Services has found a new home. Video courtesy of OCAS.

Murdock is a sweet, friendly kitten who just found his forever home thanks to attention he received from an Orange County Animal Services Facebook post.

Veterinarians are still working to determine if Murdock's eyes are completely gone or abnormally small (a condition known as microphthalmia), but either way Murdock was born with the condition and he won't ever be able to see.

More pets are lost on July 4 than any other day of the year, according to information from Pet Amber Alert. Be sure to keep your pets inside and safe during fireworks displays.

Associated Press file, Orlando Sentinel

More pets are lost on July 4 than any other day of the year, according to information from Pet Amber Alert. Be sure to keep your pets inside and safe during fireworks displays.

More pets are lost on July 4 than any other day of the year, according to information from Pet Amber Alert. Be sure to keep your pets inside and safe during fireworks displays.

(Associated Press file, Orlando Sentinel)

When making plans for the busy Independence Day weekend, it's important to take steps to keep your pets safe and healthy as well. Noise from fireworks can cause animals to panic and they could run away or get hurt trying to find a safe haven.

According to information from Pet Amber Alert, more pets are lost between July 4 and July 6 than any other time of the year, and only 14 percent of lost pets...